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War on Instant Retail

War on Instant Retail

TWE's price downgrade/ Accounting firm fined in HK for wine audits/ German wine expands presence in China

Natalie Wang
October 28, 2025

China’s instant retail boom has become one of the defining forces reshaping the country’s wine and spirits landscape. The speed and convenience of on-demand delivery have brought new consumers into the fold after the collapse of business dining. But the dark side of this hyper-efficiency is starting to show — a ruthless race to the bottom on price. China’s No. 2 liquor brand Wuliangye publicly blacklisted 46 online retailers, including Tmall, JD.com, Meituan, and Waima, in a bold stand against discount-driven chaos. It’s the first major brand to declare war — and likely not the last.

Meanwhile, Western Australia is preparing for its most comprehensive fine wine showcase in Shanghai. Among its star regions, Margaret River is leading the charge to re-engage with China’s wine trade. We spotlight six standout wineries that capture the region’s craftsmanship and spirit.

Another region making waves is Germany, where exporters are turning to China as the U.S. market falters under tariffs. German wine exports to China have now risen for two consecutive years, and producers are gearing up for their largest presence yet at ProWine Shanghai next month.

Elsewhere, PwC has been fined for audit failures linked to Dynasty Fine Wines, a Hong Kong-listed producer; Treasury Wine Estates has seen multiple investment downgrades after retracting its profit guidance; and in China, Auswan Creek and Bel Eden are merging their distribution networks — a rare cross-continental alliance between two Chinese-owned brands.

Finally, there are early signs of optimism from the Nanjing Wine Fair, where importers reported stronger turnout than expected, and in South Korea, convenience stores are transforming the fine wine market with direct sourcing of prestigious French labels such as Paul Jaboulet Aîné.

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Western Australia Fine Wine Showcase to Make Landmark Debut in Shanghai

This will be the first-ever and most comprehensive showcase of Western Australian wines in China that is jointly delivered by the industry and supported by the Government of Western Australia, marking a historic milestone in the state’s wine export journey.

Margaret River’s Comeback to China

Australia’s most awarded wine region is turning heads in China again, driven not by marketing budgets, but by the power of place.

China’s No. 2 Liquor Brand Declares War on Instant Retail as Price Wars Deepen

What has prompted Wuliangye, China's second largest liquor brand to blacklist 46 online sellers including Meituan, Taobao, Douyin and JD.com?

Auswan Creek and Bel Eden Merge Distribution Channels in China

Australian winery Auswan Creek and French wine producer Bel Eden are joining forces in China through a strategic merger of their domestic distribution channels — a rare show of expansion in an otherwise sluggish market.

Nanjing Wine Fair Draws Surprising Crowds as China’s Industry Searches for Rebound

The turnout lifted the spirits of some exhibitors but left others wondering whether the sudden surge of activity signalled a genuine rebound — or merely a brief flicker of optimism in a sluggish market.

If you are looking for importers in China, reach out to us at [email protected]

With U.S. Tariffs Crippling Exports, German Wine Finds a Bright Future in China

German wine producers, squeezed by U.S. tariffs and rising costs, are finding new life in China. Once heavily reliant on the American market, Germany’s wine exports have shifted eastward, with sales to China climbing for a second straight year.

PwC Hong Kong Fined HK$1.6 Million Over Dynasty Fine Wines’ Accounting Scandal

Hong Kong’s accounting regulator has fined PwC Hong Kong and two of its partners a combined HK$1.6 million (US$206,000) for audit failures tied to Chinese wine producer Dynasty Fine Wines Group.

Treasury Wine Estates Hit by Analyst Downgrades After Pulling Profit Guidance

A crisis of confidence has sent Australian wine giant Treasury Wine Estates (TWE) into the spotlight. Last Monday, the company unexpectedly withdrew its profit guidance for both the group and its key business divisions, citing uncertainty in its two largest export markets — China and the United States.

Korean Convenience Stores Move Beyond Discounts With Direct Imports and Fine Wines

Wine25Plus has generated ₩500 million (US$365,000) in sales within just seven months of launching its “Négociant Direct” programme.

China’s Top 100 Importers

The 237-page report offers an in-depth analysis of regional dynamics and market opportunities across North China, Northeast China, East China, South Central, Southwest, and Northwest China. It identifies the top 100 wine importers currently operating in mainland China. This regional breakdown provides a clear picture of where market influence is concentrated—and how each part of the country is shaping the growth and transformation of wine consumption in China.